Suffolk County has officially entered the growing world of disc golf with the opening of a new course at Southaven County Park, an addition county officials hope will attract families, outdoor enthusiasts, and athletes of all ages.
Legislators Jim Mazzarella and Chad Lennon were on hand to announce the new park, calling the project an exciting new recreational opportunity for residents.
“Today we celebrate the first disc golf course in Suffolk County,” Mazzarella said at the sprawling park setting, describing the new attraction as another way to expand outdoor recreation opportunities for residents. Lennon joined him in praising the effort to bring the fast-growing sport to the county.
Disc golf, often described as a cross between traditional golf and frisbee throwing, has surged in popularity across the United States in recent years. Instead of clubs and golf balls, players throw specialized flying discs toward elevated metal baskets in as few throws as possible. Courses are commonly built through wooded parks and natural terrain, making the sport both inexpensive and accessible.
According to organizers and enthusiasts, one of the sport’s biggest appeals is that it can be played by people of nearly any age or athletic ability. Unlike traditional golf, the cost to get started is relatively low, requiring only a few discs and access to a course.
“This is a great sport for families and people who enjoy the outdoors,” Lennon said, noting that the course provides another recreational destination within the county park system.
The Southaven course winds through wooded sections of the Yaphank park and is expected to attract both beginners and experienced players from across Long Island as interest in disc golf continues to expand nationwide.